I was wondering what do you pack in the hospital bag.

For example - do you take the homecoming outfit for you and baby along right away or will someone bring them along the day you get released?

And about your homecoming outfit - is it still maternity clothes or back to regular clothes?
Any tips? Any dos and don'ts?

I took the homecoming outfit for the baby and for me. I brought a knit maternity outfit with a lot of give (it was a pair of leggings and a tunic shirt). Something very comfortable.

If you want to have someone bring it before you are discharged from the hospital, maybe pack it and leave the clothes near the door / in the vehicle so it's not forgotten.

Nadine, one of the books I read recommended packing some snacks (granola bars, juice, nuts, some snacky stuff that won't spoil for a couple of days)-here is why (acc to the book): once you are done with labor, you will be hungry, and the last thing you want is your husband-who is also very hungry-running off to get food and disappearing for 2 hours...hehe... that makes sense. I packed a BUNCH of stuff, and even though I had a C-section (I planned to catch up on chocolate after 8 weeks of GD LOL), Damon's family visited with us before the surgery and pretty much ate most of the snacks I packed... So, whether it's for you or the family/friends who will be at the hospital, it will come in handy.

I also got 20 one dollar bills and we just handed them to Damon's family for the vending machine. You know they'll use it while they are waiting for you, and I think it's just a nice small thing you can do for them.... They used almost all the money :)

I packed mine and baby's coming home outfits in with everything else. I did not want to have to worry about Damon finding them or not, and just wanted to be completely prepared. I wore my maternity jeans home. "They" recommend bringing something that you wore around 7 ms pregnant...unless you are one of them wonder women who lose all the inches right there and then and wear their reg clothes home (evil people), your 7 ms gestation clothes should fit you good.

A lot of girls here recommended granny panties (esp if you have a C-seciton for incision), I got some and never used them- I loved the mesh panties they gave me at the hospital.

I was SUPER thirsty once I started bfing Nikita, and could not get enough to drink. I really liked the taste of juices, and downed Apple and Grape juice jugs like there was no tomorrow. Grape juice is especially good for you because of all the antioxidants. At first I was drinking them straight, and then started diluting them with water (because I was going through them so fast).

Ok, I am sure I can think of more, but at least something for you to consider :)
Hope this helps...

I pack everything! I brought the baby's coming home outfit and I wore my maternity clothes home. No way was I going to attempt to fit into regular clothes a few days PP.

I agree with getting some big ugly underwear since they all get ruined in the weeks following birth but while in the hospital the mesh ones are fine.

I've also heard of bringing some of your nice shower gel and shampoo and conditioner since the hospital is usually lacking in that sort of stuff. It can give you a big boost to have a nice shower afterward.

I always brought my pillow from home, some slippers, a robe (since the hospital gowns are usually open in the back), a good book or magazine.

Food/snacks are always a good idea. After my 3rd, I ordered a large deep dish pizza to my hospitall room (from an outside restaurant). I ended up eating the whole thing by myself! Having someone bring you a take out meal from your favorite place would be a nice treat (hospital food just isn't appetising).

I'm taking note of the fruit juice and water idea this time. That sounds good.

IIRC, I brought...

- A nightgown for myself (that I ended up not using, the hospital gowns were fine)
- A coming home outfit for baby
- an outfit for myself (big shirt, elastic waist pants)
- nursing pads (although the hospital gave me some)
- big granny panties

I think that was it, or at least all I remember using. Although a lot of those ideas others posted are good ones.

I pack light...lighter w/ each baby, and since this is your 3rd, I'll only mention what I brought for my 3rd... something for Tatum to wear home... a couple of burp cloths (cloth diapers), a baby blanket, a nursing bra and toiletries for me, and my hair dryer... I wore the same thing home that I wore there (non-maternity, but big and stretchy, comfy clothes. I also brought my pillow. I think that's pretty much it. I wore the hospital mesh underpants and gown the entire time I was in the hospital.

Thanks for the input! There were quite a few things I forgot...
Since I will be spending 5 days in hospital, I did pack toiletries. But I forgot all about nursing pads and burp clothes and the baby blanket.
Drinks I count on DH and others to bring along. I won't be allowed to eat regular food until I have a bowl movement anyway. So I won't be taking snacks.